Montenegro v England: Joleon Lescott is concerned at lack of games for his club, Manchester City

Paris or Podgorica, anyone? The very fact that Joleon Lescott had expected to
be spending part of this international break with his wife, Debbie, in the
French capital rather than Roy Hodgson in Montenegro says much for the
current state of England’s central defence.

Anxious look: Joleon Lescott is concerned about his future at CityPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

Lescott was not selected in the initial squad because Hodgson felt he had played “so little” for Manchester City but, following the withdrawals of Rio Ferdinand, Michael Dawson and Gary Cahill, he has been installed as senior centre-back for a fixture that could determine whether England qualify for the World Cup.

His likely partner, Chris Smalling, has played five times for England and is fourth choice at Manchester United. Hodgson bristled last week at questions about his defenders, pointing out they are not a “couple of guys from non-League” but equally he cannot escape the fact they are currently reserves at their clubs.

Both players are candid about the situation. Smalling described his season as “frustrating” while Lescott admitted that he is “concerned” by his lack of first-team football and will address the situation with Manchester City.

Having been a regular in City’s Premier League-winning team and having started every match for England in euro 2012, it has certainly been a reminder of just how quickly fortunes can change. “Anything can happen – I take nothing for granted,” said Lescott, whose contract at City expires next year. “It is a concern that I haven’t been playing as much I would like, but I have confidence in my own ability.

“I like to think I’m focused a little bit more because you don’t play as regularly and you think if the chance comes you need to prove yourself a bit more. My performances have been quite good this season but, for whatever reason, the manager’s seen fit to play whoever he’s played.”

Lescott knows that his situation at club level is intrinsically linked to remaining in the England team. Asked how he now rated his chances of going to next year’s World Cup in Brazil, he said: “If I can play more regularly at club level then I think I’ll be there.

Towards the end of the season, I’ll address that but, for now, I’m fully focused on England. I was disappointed not to be in the original squad. I’m here now and I’m going to take the opportunity with both hands.”

Lescott was also sufficiently realistic to accept the current international absence of Ferdinand and John Terry has meant a lowering of England’s standards at centre-back as they prepare to face a very accomplished Montenegro strike-force of Stevan Jovetic and Mirko Vucinic.

“Yes, of course,” he said. “John and Rio played all their careers at top clubs and, with no disrespect to the clubs I’ve played for, that hasn’t been the case with me and also Chris. It’s probably not as strong as then.

“We’re confident that we can cope. You need to be intelligent and I like to think we both are. The key to a good defensive partnership is trust and I think we have that.”

At the end of a difficult season personally, Smalling senses a huge opportunity. “I’ll be ready if I’m selected. I definitely see myself as having a chance. If I can get on a little run, the position is more your own.”